The Texas Rangers capture bragging rights in the first tilt of the Lone Star Series, defeating the Houston Astros 2-0 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
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ALCS odds have shifted to the Rangers at -175 (via BetMGM), with that sportsbook pricing the Astros at +145. The Astros will host Game 2, with Framber Valdez on the mound against Nathan Eovaldi.
Series Schedule, TV coverage of ALCS
- Game 1: Rangers 2, Astros 0
- Game 2: Rangers at Astros, Oct. 16, 4:37 PM ET, on FOX
- Game 3: Astros at Rangers, Oct. 18, 8:03 PM ET on FS1
- Game 4: Astros at Rangers, Oct. 19, 8:03 PM ET on FS1
- Game 5:* Astros at Rangers, Oct. 20, 7:07 PM ET on FS1
- Game 6:* Rangers at Astros, Oct. 22, 8:03 PM ET on FS1
- Game 7:* Rangers at Astros, Oct. 23, 8:03 PM ET, on FOX/FS1
*If necessary
Head-to-Head Results
The Astros and Rangers played each other 13 times in the 2023 season. Houston won the series, 9-4. The Astros are 37-14 against the Rangers in the last three seasons, dating back to 2021.
Get further analysis on this series from our initial series preview.
Pitching Matchup for Game 2
Nathan Eovaldi (1.32 ERA, 15 K in 13.2 IP in post-season) vs. Framber Valdez (10.38 ERA, 5 K in 4.1 IP in post-season)
In his AL Division Series start, Valdez was very good…until he wasn’t. When he tired in the fifth inning, he was pummeled for five runs. Dusty Baker will need to be aware of whether his lefthander is spent or not. The Rangers are early-count aggressors, and if Valdez is out of the zone, they’re also capable of laying off pitches and creating traffic jams on the bases.
Oddsmakers have the Rangers at +100 for Game 2. That’s largely due to the performances so far in the postseason from Eovaldi, who has two wins. The husky righthander has a 15-to-0 K-to-BB ratio in the playoffs. His first strike percentage is above 75 percent, and opponents have not hit him hard, even on his four-seamer.
He has yet to allow a home run this season on his curveball. It will be interesting to see if Eovaldi uses that pitch against LH bats Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker, for example.
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Astros vs Rangers Game 2 Prediction
The Astros know how to get themselves through October. A win in Game 2 is nearly mandated, and this veteran team will find a way. Look for Michael Brantley to get a start at DH, and his bat might make the difference.
Game 2 Best Bet: Astros -1.5 (+165) on the runline.
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